UN Women , the Central Bank of Liberia and the Orange Foundation partner to accelerate financial inclusion for rural women farmers across Liberia
Through the Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) initiative, hundreds of women are now gaining access to mobile financial services, digital literacy, and formal banking—tools that are transforming how they manage money, run agribusinesses, and plan for the future.
“Using Orange Money has made it easier for us to save, access credit, and grow our businesses,” says Musu Nana, a Buy from Women Champion in Gbartala, Bong County.
Launched in 2022, the D4WEE project targets women in Bong and Nimba Counties, linking them to the formal financial system and supporting disaster resilience through partnerships with the Central Bank and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).
Key milestones include:
- Integration of 15 women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) into the banking system.
- Over 400 rural women farmers now owning mobile phones and formal accounts with the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI).
- Plans underway to connect these accounts to Orange Money mobile wallets, enhancing access to credit, savings, and digital payments.
The initiative also launched a digital social protection scheme, enabling women to save, borrow, and invest more efficiently. This has boosted financial independence, allowing participants to make informed economic decisions for themselves and their families.
“Going digital has made managing our group savings and loans safer and simpler,” shares Diana Davis, a facilitator with the Liberia Rural Women Network Empowerment Incorporated.
In August 2024, the project scaled its impact with a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Monrovia. The session brought together 22 women-led farming cooperatives and agribusinesses from Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties to build their digital capacity.
Participants received hands-on training on how to:
- Use the Buy from Women digital platform to sell their agricultural products;
- Navigate Orange Mobile Money for secure, real-time transactions;
- Apply digital marketing and content creation strategies;
- Promote their businesses via Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media tools.
“We’re strengthening women’s income-generating potential by combining traditional farming with digital innovations,” said Ms. Aisha Kolubah, National Program Officer for Women Economic Empowerment at UN Women Liberia.
Ms. Alana Pradhan, Knowledge Management Specialist at UN Women, emphasized the value of digital presence:
“Consistent use of social media not only expands your reach but positions your business competitively in today’s digital market.”
The Liberia Rural Women Network for Employment echoed this optimism on social media, writing:
“This training has opened new doors. We can now reach larger markets and become more financially independent using digital tools.”
Creating a Ripple Effect in Communities
As participants return to their villages, they are expected to share their knowledge and skills with fellow women farmers, creating a multiplier effect in digital literacy and financial empowerment across rural Liberia.
“We now have access to markets and financial services we never imagined,” says Musu Nana. “We feel confident, informed, and ready to grow our businesses.”
Building a More Inclusive Future
The success of the D4WEE project highlights the critical role of digital and financial literacy in advancing gender equality, strengthening agricultural productivity, and boosting local economies.
With continued collaboration between UN Women, the Central Bank of Liberia, and the Orange Foundation, more women are set to benefit ,laying the foundation for inclusive, sustainable development across Liberia’s rural communities.
